Lock corner-fastener for bedsteads.



Patent d Jan. I, 1901.

0. S. FOSTER-8v. G. E. CAMP LOCK CORNER FASTENER FOR BEDSTEADS.

(Application filad Aug. 7, 1899.)

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OSCAR S. FOSTER AND GEORGE E. CAMP, OF UTICA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO THE FOSTER BROS. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

LOCK CORNER-FASTENER FOR BEDSTEADS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 665,366, dated January 1, 1901.

Application filed August 7, 1899.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, OSCAR S. FOSTER and GEORGE E. CAMP, of Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefullmprovementsin Lock Corner-Fasteners for Bedsteads; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

The object of our present invention is to provide a lock corner-fastener for bedsteads which is simple in construction, conveniently made and manipulated, and effective in operation.

The lock corner-fastener is particularly intended for use in institution beds, particularly for insane asylums and the like, where the beds might be taken down by the inmates.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a vertical section of a bed-post and the rail or frame fixture, with the lock in locked position. Fig. 2 shows the rail or frame fixture in vertical section with the lock in unlocked position. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section taken on line A B of Fig. 1, the parts being shown in unlocked position. Fig. 4 shows in perspective a part of the lock-spring, including a lock shoulder or block provided thereon. Fig. 5 shows a vertical section of a modified form of construction. Fig. 6 shows in perspective a key for unlocking the fastener. Fig. 7 shows a vertical section of still another modified form of construction. Fig. 8 is a detail in perspective showing parts of the construction illustrated in Fig. 7.

Referring to the reference-numbers for a more particular description, 1. indicates a bedpost, which is of tubular form, as shown, and is provided with a headed projection or pin 2, secured therein in a suitable position.

3 is the railor frame fixture, provided with a casing3, extending along the post and having a curved face to receive the side of the post. Within the casing are provided a pair of inclined faced or wedging projections 4, adapted to engage behind the shoulder of the head of the projection 2 and bind the casing Serial No. 726,471. (No model.)-

against the post. Within the casing there is provided a spring 5, having an inclined block 6 secured thereon at a suitable point, the said block affording on its upper end a substantial square shoulder adapted to engage when in locked position with the under side of the head of the projection 2 and prevent the rail or frame portion of the fastener being removed from the post. In the casing at a suit-able point is provided a keyholeopening 7, adapted to receive a key, as 8. In unlocking the fastener the key is inserted in the keyhole 7, and the bit of the key is turned, so as to force the spring 5 back substantially into the position shown in Fig. 2, but more particularly so as to move the block 6 or the shoulder thereof out of the path of the head of the projection 2. When the projection or block 6 and the spring are forced backinto the position shown in Fig. 2, the rail-fixture may be freely placed upon or removed from the post. The rail or frame fixture may also be placed upon the post without the use of the key 8, for the head of the projection 2 will force back the spring 5 as it moves over the inclined face of the block 6, when the rail or frame fixture is being slid down the side of the post. The fastener, however, cannot be unlocked without the use of the key or its equivalent.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the spring 5 is not secured in the case, but will maintain its position therein unless forcibly removed when the parts are separated. The parts 4 operate to confine the spring within the casing.

In the modified form of construction shown in Fig. 5 the casing 9 is provided with the inclined-faced or wedging shoulders 10, similar to those heretofore described, and adapted to engage with a similar headed projection in the post. In this form of construction, however,- one corner of the casing is somewhat filled,as indicated atll, forminga raised surface on which the spring 12 is secured by a screw or rivet 13. The spring 12 is provided with a shoulder 12, adapted to engage with the head of the post projection when in locked position and is also provided with an extension 12 which takes a position opposite the opening 13 in the casing, where the head of the projection is inserted when placing the parts of the fastener together. There is also provided in this construction in the casing a keyhole 14:, suitably arranged and located, so that the key inserted and operated therein will engage with a spring 12 and force it back into the position shown in clotted lines. In this position the shoulder 12 will not engage with the head of the post projeetion, and the two parts of the fastener can be readily placed together or separated. The fastener of this construction can also be engaged with the post without the use of the key. In doing so the head of the projection. is inserted at the opening 13. It will engage with the extension 12 of the spring and force the spring back more or less into the position indicated by dotted outline, while the head of the projection finds its way upwardly in the casing until the casing becomes tightly wedged against the side of the post. After passing the shoulder 12 the spring-catch will assume the position shown in full lines and lock the fastener.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the casing 15 is provided with the filled corner 16, similar to that of the previously-described modified form of construction, and secured thereon by a screw or rivet 17 is the spring 18. The casing is also provided with the inclined or wedging shoulders 19 of the previously-described construction. The post projection 20 of this form of construction is modified by being provided with a-tip or projection 21 on the head. This tip or projection when in locked position is adapted to enter the slotted opening 22 in the spring 18, and secures the parts, so that they cannot be taken apart without the use of the key or its equivalent in the keyhole-opening 23. The key operates to throw the spring 18 back into the position shown in dotted lines, when the fastener may be freely taken apart or put together. This form of fastener may also be set up without use of a key. lVhen the projection 20 is inserted at the opening 24 in the casing, the projection 21. forces the spring 18 back more or lessinto the position shown by dotted lines, while the projection 20 passes up within the casing to a point where the casing is drawn firmly against the side of the post, and no further movement is permitted. The length of the slot 22 is such as to permit a certain amount of variation growing out of inaccuracies or otherwise, and in the other forms of construction heretofore described the locking-shoulders are preferably arranged so as to permita certain amount of leeway and obviate the necessity for fine and accurate workmanship.

It is evident that other modifications and changes than those described herein may be made without departing from the equivalents of our invention.

\Vhat we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination of a post having a headed projection, a rail or frame fixture casing adapted to receive said headed projection and having wedging-surfaces adapted to engage the head of said post projection and a spring or catch within the casing adapted to engage with said post projection and lock the fastener, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a post having a headed projection, a rail or frame fixture having a casing adapted to receive said headed projection and inclined shoulders adapted to engage on the head of said projection, a looking spring or catch within the said casing adapted to engage with said post projection, and means for operating said catch or spring, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof we have affixed our signatures, in presence of two witnesses, this 3d day of August, 1899.

OSCAR S. FOSTER. GEORGE E. CAMP. Witnesses:

SARAH A. BROWN, E. WILLARD J ONES. 

